Method of forming an electrically conductive hollow fiber separation module

Abstract

A method of forming a fluid separation filter for use in a fluid separation device includes aligning a series of fluid separation or drying fibers ( 102 ) and fixing them together using a self-adhesive and electrically conductive tape ( 116 ) or by weaving copper threads between them. The connected fibers then form a mat and a strip of potting sealant ( 112 ) may be added, if required, along the top and bottom of the fibers. The mat may then be rolled to form a bundle of fibers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of forming a fluid separation filter for use in a fluid separation device, the method comprising the steps of:
 aligning a plurality of elongate fluid separation members; 
 fixing a plurality of said fluid separation members together using a plurality of one flexible fixing members thereby forming a mat, the flexible fixing members adapted to conduct electricity; and 
 rolling said mat into a bundle of said fluid separation members, wherein a plurality of said flexible fixing members conduct electricity and at least one first said electrically conducting flexible fixing member is connected to a first terminal of a power supply and at least one second said electrically conducting flexible fixing member is connected to a second terminal of a power supply thereby allowing a current to pass between said first and second electrically conducting flexible fixing members via said elongate fluid separation member. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying a line of potting compound to said fluid separation members, said line being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said separation members, before rolling into a bundle. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of compressing said fluid separation members in said bundle together. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of at least partially electroplating the external surface of at least one said fluid separation member. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting said bundle into a sleeve of heat shrink material and heating said heat shrink material to provide a gripping pressure to said bundle. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of fixing members comprise a plurality of first wires. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of weaving said first wire between adjacent fluid separation members. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of fixing members comprises a plurality of tapes, said tapes being at least partially adhesive. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of bringing at least one second wire into electrical contact with at least one said tape. 
     
     
       10. A fluid separation filter for use in a fluid separation device, the fluid separation filter comprising:
 a plurality of elongate fluid separation members aligned parallel to each other; and 
 a plurality of flexible fixing members fixing a plurality of said fluid separation members together thereby forming a mat; 
 wherein said plurality of flexible fixing members conduct electricity, and said mat is rolled into a bundle of said fluid separation members and wherein at least one first said electrically conducting flexible fixing member is connected to a first terminal of a power supply and at least one second said electrically conducting flexible fixing member is connected to a second terminal of a power supply thereby allowing a current to pass between said first and second electrically conducting flexible fixing members via said elongate fluid separation member. 
 
     
     
       11. The fluid separation filter of  claim 10 , further comprising a line of potting compound in engagement with at least one said fluid separation member, said line being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said fluid separation members, before rolling into a bundle. 
     
     
       12. The fluid separation filter of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one clamping device compressing said fluid separation members in said bundle together. 
     
     
       13. The fluid separation filter of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one clamping device comprises at least one ring made of a material selected from the group consisting of silicone, metal or plastic. 
     
     
       14. The fluid separation filter of  claim 10 , further comprising a sleeve of heat shrink material that has been heated to shrink and thereby provide a gripping pressure to said bundle. 
     
     
       15. The fluid separation filter of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of fixing members comprises a plurality of first wires. 
     
     
       16. The fluid separation filter of  claim 15 , wherein said first wires are woven between at least adjacent said fluid separation members. 
     
     
       17. The fluid separation filter of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of fixing members comprises a plurality of tapes, said tapes being at least partially adhesive. 
     
     
       18. The fluid separation filter of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one second wire in electrical contact with at least one said tape.